Woman accused of drowning puppies in toilet tank

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) -- Pierce County prosecutors have charged a 34-year-old woman with drowning four puppies in the toilet tank after being told by her landlord she couldn't keep so many dogs in her apartment.

Ginger Hartson, of Lakewood, pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree animal cruelty in Pierce County Superior Court on Tuesday. She was ordered held in lieu of $20,000 bail.

According to court documents, the woman's landlord called Lakewood police on Monday to report finding four dead puppies inside a dog food bag in the community Dumpster. Inside the bag was a sign advertising puppies for $50. The puppies were soaking wet.

The document says the woman told police she drowned the dogs, one by one, because she thought the animal shelter would euthanize the pit bulls.